Filmed In the Wonder of Confuse-o-vision!

Rating: 3/10 (15 July 2003)

Starts off promising and quite fascinating, slides a bit when characters do those illogical things they do in inferior horror movies, then goes completely silly in the third act when the movie finds itself stuck in a castle with an absurd climax. Apparently there were two DPs: one quite competent, even inspired. Then when the action scenes happen, a completely different cinematographer seems to take over. Scenes that should/could be terrifying are sunk by being shot in Confuse-o-vision, a process closely related to Incomprehensoscope. As a result, we hear loud bad noises, see flashes of movement of some sort, and basically HAVE NO IDEA AT ALL WHAT IS HAPPENING. The infected ones seem to have been given some very intriguing--and consistent--choreography. So why compound and confuse all their hard work with an equally spastic camera? Makes no sense. SHALLOW GRAVE had such strong simple storytelling--such clear communication to its audience. I am much more affected/involved when a film lets me in on what's happening (call me crazy). Too bad this silly-cam stuff is so trendy. Hopefully, it will pass. What a letdown.